West Point is the oldest active military post in the United States

The oldest active Army base in the United States, West Point, New York, was originally held by the Continental Army on January 27, 1778. Tadeusz Kosciuszko, a Polish engineer, and war hero directed the building of the garrison defenses for this army between 1778 and 1780. The governor of New York and General George Clinton, however, did not support Kosciuszko's proposal for a tiny fortress system because they thought that a battery along the river to disturb ships was preferable.

Rufus Putnam, Washington's chief engineer, thereby oversaw the development of a large fortification on a hill that rose 500 feet (150 m) above sea level that commanded the West Point plain. It was given the name Fort Putnam by General Alexander McDougall. Hence, the Continental Army was able to stop British Royal Navy ships from sailing upstream and splitting the Colonies thanks to the Great Hudson River chain and the high land above the tight "S" curve in the river.

In fact, the fortifications at West Point were called Fort Arnold after the general who commanded them, Benedict Arnold. However, as commander, Arnold committed treason, deliberately selling the fortress to the British. After Arnold betrayed the patriotic cause, the Army renamed the fortifications at West Point, New York to Fort Clinton. Peacefully after the American Revolutionary War, various armories and supplies were left at West Point.

Since 1794, the garrison has trained cadets in engineering and artillery studies. Then, during the Quasi-War, Alexander Hamilton introduced "A Bill for Establishing a Military College" in the House of Representatives with plans for the construction of a military academy at West Point. In 1801, not long after taking office, Thomas Jefferson ordered those preparations to create the United States Military Academy at West Point be put into motion. He chose Jonathan Williams to be the organization's first superintendent. With the Military Peace Formation Act of 1802, which Jefferson signed on March 16th, Congress legally approved the establishment and funding of the institution. On July 4, 1802, the academy officially began operations.

In sum, although the site was originally used to train technical cadets from 1794, it officially became the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1802.

• The oldest active Army was originally held by the Continental Army on January 27, 1778.
• It was renamed "Fort Putnam" by General Alexander McDougall.
• After Arnold's betrayal, the Army renamed it "Fort Clinton".
• In 1801, Thomas Jefferson founded the United States Military Academy at West Point and selected Jonathan Williams as its first superintendent.
• On July 4, 1802, the academy officially started operating.